Deck 1: The Research Practice

Question 1

Compared to the physical sciences, like biology, chemistry, or physics, research methods in the social sciences, like criminal justice, sociology or economics, are:

A) easier, because nobody really cares if social scientists get it right or not.
B) more difficult because social concepts are more difficult to measure definitively.
C) easier because social scientists are allowed more leeway in their methodology.
D) about the same in terms of their level of difficulty.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

You have been asked to make a presentation on a subject that you know very little about. What source(s) would you consult to obtain a general overview of the subject?

A) A scholarly journal
B) The local newspaper
C) A friend who seems to know a lot about the subject
D) A book

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Your professor has assigned a research paper. The references for this paper must come from "peer reviewed" research articles. Where would you most likely find these articles?

A) The local newspaper
B) A popular news magazine
C) A scholarly journal
D) A television newscast

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A program at a local high school is designed to reduce illegal drug use among adolescents. The school board has asked a researcher to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. What type of research is this?

A) Pure research
B) Applied research
C) Directed research
D) Scholarly research

Question 5

A researcher conducts research for the initial purpose of explaining the linkages between illegal drug use and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents. This researcher is merely interested in this topic and hopes to publish this research report in an academic journal. What type of research is this?

A) Pure research
B) Applied research
C) Scholarly research
D) Theoretical research

Question 6

The captain of the narcotics unit in a large metropolitan police department hears that prescription drug abuse is growing among juveniles in her city. She asks one of her lieutenants to conduct research to determine the extent of this new trend. Into which of the following research categories would this research project best fit?

A) Exploratory
B) Descriptive
C) Explanatory
D) Pragmatic

Question 7

Recently, a dozen correctional officers were dismissed for participating in a drug and contraband smuggling conspiracy. The warden has asked a consultant to conduct research that would provide insight into why these officers were led to participate in this conspiracy. Into which of the following research categories would this research project best fit?

A) Exploratory
B) Descriptive
C) Explanatory
D) Field

Question 8

The Chief Probation Officer has asked one of his assistants to conduct an analysis of the probationers under the supervision of the Probation Department. The Chief wants to know basic information that describes the "typical" probationer, such as age, gender, criminal history, and length of probation. Into which of the following research categories would this research project best fit?

A) Exploratory
B) Descriptive
C) Explanatory
D) Census

Question 9

A recent proposal by the Bigton Police Department is to not dispatch officers to take stolen vehicle reports. Instead the vehicle owner would enter the appropriate information into an online system and get the case number needed to file an insurance claim. The City Manager rejects the proposal, arguing, "The good people of Bigton deserve a living and breathing police officer when they call one. That is just the way we've always done things around here." Which of the following alternatives to rese

A) Authority
B) Tradition or Custom
C) Common Sense
D) Media

Question 10

Frustrated with the new intake process, a probation officer complains to her boss. "It just doesn't make sense." The supervisor encourages the probation officer to "give the new system a chance" because "after all, it was designed by the leading expert on juvenile probation in the nation." Which of the following alternatives to research is the supervisor using?

A) Authority
B) Tradition or Custom
C) Common Sense
D) Media

Question 11

A state senator is making a speech before the legislature and declares, "Racial profiling is an epidemic throughout our state." When asked to provide proof of this statement, the senator points to a large folder full of newspaper and magazine articles on racial profiling. Which of the following alternatives to research is the state senator using?

A) Authority
B) Tradition or Custom
C) Common Sense
D) Media

Question 12

The City of Bigton is having a problem with graffiti. The Mayor decides that the only logical way to reduce graffiti is to increase the penalty. The City Council agrees and increases the penalty. However, incidents of graffiti continue to increase. Which of the following alternatives to research is the Mayor using?

A) Authority
B) Tradition or Custom
C) Common Sense
D) Media

Question 13

The observations of Burgess and Akers produced the first real insight into the process by which juveniles become members of criminal gangs. The objective of this research are:

A) to fill gaps in the body of knowledge.
B) to produce more research questions.
C) to answer research questions.
D) to reveal inconsistencies among researchers.